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Steelers vs. Chargers, Week 6: Knee-Jerk Reactions to the Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Chargers

One BTSC writer shares his real-time, initial thoughts of the Steelers battle for season survival with Los Angeles .

Pittsburgh Steelers v Los Angeles Chargers Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Here we go! The Steelers had a pretty rough start to the the season by going 1-4. To stay even barely afloat, they can’t afford to lose to the Chargers in Los Angeles. This is really a must win. Let’s see if they can pull this off.

Nonetheless, a simple reminder, a knee jerk reaction is an immediate and unthinking, emotional reaction. It’s basically shooting first and apologizing later. I can safely say that’s a true definition of your’s truly and a good lot of Steeler Nation. Here’s my real-time reactions during the Steelers’ chance at redemption as they desperately look for their first win of the new season.


Quarter 1

  • I’m ready to watch football in a soccer stadium. I’m wondering if the Chargers really have a home field advantage in this place.
  • There’s nothing badass about a place called Dignity Health Sports Complex.
  • Gotta keep in mind, the Chargers are struggling as well.
  • Desmond King is scary. Gotta shut him down.
  • I kinda think that the defense is going to have to score some points in this game.
  • Nuts! Hunter Henry is back and he’s the kind of TE that will give the Steelers fits early.
  • Bud with great penetration in the backfield on that run stop.
  • Got lucky on that third-down drop. At least they forced a punt.
  • Here we go. 14,000 yards in college gotta be worth something. Go Duck !
  • Not afraid to pass early. A little further and JuJu might have made some magic.
  • A completion, but a three and out. Bahhhhhhhhh!
  • Bud and Tuitt with some great pressure. With a suspect line, they are going to need to bring a lot of heat.
  • Remember what I wrote about the defense scoring points. That was huge.
  • Bush is always around the action and magic with the ball in his hands. 7-0 Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers v Los Angeles Chargers Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images
  • The rush defense looks stout early.
  • Can’t let the Chargers convert third downs like that.
  • Bush again. Yessssss! That draft-day trade was well worth it.
  • I love how Hodges calls himself “Duck”.
  • We really need Conner to control this game.
  • Conner fought for that huge first down.
  • Thats what we need. Great score by Conner.
  • Nice blocking by Big Al and Vanimal.
  • Hodges is getting a nice gift from the defense. You can’t ask for more.
  • Vince Williams is an animal.
  • Another three and out.
  • That penalty on the Chargers is pretty big. Starting on the thirteen for a rookie could be dangerous.
  • One yard gain. Switzer is the fair catch king.
  • Conner with a nice run again to give Duck room.
  • End of one. 14-0 Steelers.

Quarter 2

  • Need to convert this third down.
  • And Conner does with a great hole by Pouncey and Ramon.
  • Conner is running strong.
  • Great catch and throw from Duck to Diontae Johnson.
  • Bennie Snell Jr. with a four-yard run. I’ll take it.
  • Duck is really mobile, but he just got cracked by King.
  • No. 6 looked poised on the first down, but Conner really bailed him out by fighting for the first. Love it.
  • Would really love to see Hodges and Snell get them in the touchdown zone. That would give them more confidence.
  • Big third down for Duck.
  • Wow! James Conner with a monstrous game. 21-0.
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
  • Can’t let up.
  • Oh Chickillo!
  • Vinny Williams makes a difference.
  • Artie “Cushion” Burns giving up a big third down play. That’s familiar.
  • Oh no!!! Bush’s ankle looks really hurt.
  • He’s walking off a little better.
  • Fitzpatrick got lucky on that Williams drop.
  • I hate when Burns is in there.
  • Can’t let them score seven here. I want no part of deja vu from last year.
  • That has got to be intentional grounding.
  • Good.
  • Dan McCullers made that happen. Yay, Shade Tree.
  • Why are they going for three?
  • Doink!,,,,,,,
  • They aren’t risking anything and get the ball back in the second half.
  • End of two. 21-0 Stillers.

Quarter 3

  • Tuitt being out hurts.
  • Offense could possibly put this away with a TD. Lets go.
  • Conner with a nice run.
  • Hodges in the face of a corner blitz with a big-league throw.
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
  • Sure he hasn’t gone deep, but he doesn’t really have to.
  • Diontae Johnson would have caught that deep ball, but Thomas Davis tattooed him with an illegal hit. Necessary flag.
  • Thomas Davis is playing dirty. He body slammed Conner. He could be banged up from that play.
  • Nice set up with the screen to BSJ, but the JuJu hold negated it.
  • Bennie Snell Football. Bennie Snell First Down.
  • The Chargers are frustrated and shooting themselves in the collective foot.
  • Snell is running well.
  • I thought Conner was hurt on that Davis play.
  • No. 24 with a big first down by a nose.
  • Good to see Conner back in there.
  • That was scary on the errant snap.
  • Boswell = true. 24-0.
  • Huge knockdown by T.J. Watt.
  • Lets put this game away now.
  • Moncrief with a big catch. Wasn’t an easy one.
  • Wow! Everything is coming up Steelers tonight.
  • Justin Layne with the slap away. But it should be fair catch interference.
  • I don’t think it could be called any other way.
  • Watt is dominant. That was nearly a strip sack and a score.
  • Wow. A Keenan Allen sighting.
  • Bush can’t stick his finger in a face, but it seemed minor. But who knows?
  • Bush has to wrap up Ekeler there late in the third.
  • Chargers really getting moving now.
  • End of three. 24-Zip.

Quarter 4

  • Big coverage sack by Watt and Chickillo.
  • Joe Haden with a huge knock away to force fourth down.
  • Chargers are finally on the scoreboard, but holding them to three is a major victory.
  • That Vanett catch wasn’t.
  • BSJ with a huge fight of a run.
  • Snell is balling.
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
  • Hodges with the pick. There’s a hitch in his deep ball.
  • Going to get Burns with a hands-to-the-face.
  • Bush and Hilton missing tackles on Mike Williams. Gotta wrap up.
  • Edmunds with a nice breakup on Henry.
  • Kam Kelly with a missed tackle on Green. Sloppy.
  • Hilton and Bush with a nice stop on the screen.
  • Cam Sutton with a sweet breakup.
  • Burns with the force out. Looks like a TD. Not sure if he had control though.
  • This is a huge drive. They have to drain clock and move chains. Has to be at least a four-minute drive,
  • Snell with a giant run on first down.
  • Really want a conversion here.
  • Switzer = nothing. Damn.
  • If they blow this, it will be devestating.
  • The drive was about 3:06...give or take.
  • Minkah almost had a pick. Ball knocked away.
  • Kelly with a huge hit.
  • Blown coverage.
  • McCullers with a dumb penalty.
  • Sutton with a breakup. He’s looking good.
  • This is getting nerve-wracking.
  • Hunter Henry with the score. Kelly got pushed off, but still beaten.
  • Cam Sutton with a big grab on the onside kick while getting tilt-a-whirled.
  • Snell with the extra effort.
  • They have to move the chains.
  • That was a missed helmet-to-helmet hit by Jenkins on Snell.
  • I don’t love the punt call.
  • I take it back. Perfect kick to the one.
  • Holton is pretty good on ST. That’s why he’s on the team.
  • Hilton almost caught the bomb. Would have been tough.
  • Watt being on the sidelines is disconcerting.
  • Cam Sutton with the theft and almost a score.
  • Phil Rivers had no problem celebrating last year. He’s a punk.
  • Big win.

Once again, I just shot first and I’ll apologize later. All reactions were in real time. Basically, it is the equivalent of watching me do the highlights if I hadn’t been blacklisted by the major networks. Now time to watch it again and see what really happened. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.